Any experience with Bluechart G3 maps and Fenix 6 series?

Aloha Garmin community! I just ordered the Quatix 6 after much research and it should be arriving in about a week. This will be my first Garmin device but not my first Multisport/Smartwatch. I have been using Suunto devices for the last 10 years and they have been on a steady decline in my opinion. My last device Suunto 9 Baro just never hit the mark nor app expectations. I am a professional sailor as well as a long distance voyager and live aboard a vessel based out of the Hawaiian islands. I do believe the Quatix 6 after much research is the device for me. I have some questions I would like to find some answers for.

Has anyone used Bluecharts G3 with their Garmin watch? If yes, what is your impression of the G3 marine maps (detail, usability etc.)?
Does anyone have a preferred “wind app” they find reliable?
Best radar/weather app?
Will the software on Fenix 6/Quatix 6 measure diving depth (freedive/snorkeling)?
Can you mark POI's on G3 marine maps?
Much Māhalo and hoping my transition over to Garmin was a smart one!

Top Replies

All Replies

0 kaz911 over 4 years ago

1. Bluecharts - no - it is not part of (as far as I can tell) the "OneChart" system from ActiveCaptain. So I think you need a separate license (aka a complete new chart) to be able to install it on the F6/Quatix. So it makes it a very expensive tiny chart plotter. (if anyone knows better let me know)

2. no not on the watch. Predict Wind online...

3. nope

4. I dont think so. Only the Garmin Descent Mk 1 (Fenix 5 based) have depth gauge

5. Probably but stays on watch. No autosync with ActiveCaptain.

0 Volker over 4 years ago

Garmin doesn’t support diving apps (for safety reasons?) on their wearables exclude the Descent MK1.

There is a 3 party app you can get (have to pay for it), but it only supports up to a depths of 21 feet. But you cannot get it in the official Garmin App Store.

https://www.diveiq.com

0 Malcyway over 4 years ago in reply to kaz911

Mahalo for the reply, I'll look into Active Captain a bit more. As far as I can tell the Bluecharts g3 are a paid download. Mainly am interested in depth soundings and marine info and still not sure if preloaded maps on the device have that.

0 Malcyway over 4 years ago in reply to Volker

Good to know. that makes sense. I'll check out the 3rd party app.

0 6603053 over 3 years ago in reply to Malcyway

i have a fennix 6x pro i paid for blue g charts they show up on active captain but for some reason you can not load onto a fennix watch. even though it said it was Capable

0 Malcyway over 3 years ago in reply to 6603053

Weird!? I wonder why? That’s a lot of lettuce to spend on maps for them not to work. Have you sourced out any other advice? I have the Quatix 6 and have considered them so I can have top notch info for my voyages. Hope you find a solution and post a update.

0 T3Jn over 3 years ago in reply to 6603053

I've had no problem getting the maps on the Fenix 6x Pro. You need to use Garmin Express not Active Captain. That said it's impossible from what I've found to create a course on Active Captain (or anything else and export as GPX to Connect) - separate post:

forums.garmin.com/.../marin-gpx-course-to-fenix-or-quatix

0 T3Jn over 3 years ago

Here's the bluecharts on the Fenix 6 Pro along with default nav screens on the boating app... obviously no data as i was not actually sailing:

Zoomed in a bit:

Default data screens:

Initially it was a bit challenging to get the routes on there, but since discovering the Garmin explorer app (other post suggestion) it's simple. Create the route in Navionics (or anything), export as GPX directly into Garmin Explorer and that syncs with your Fenix/Quatix and is available when you start the boating app as a course.

0 ignacioeml over 3 years ago in reply to T3Jn

Can yo select fish chart on fenix 6?

0 T3Jn over 3 years ago in reply to ignacioeml

Sorry - I don't have the fish charts, if it's a Garmin map then it will show the compatible devices and vice versa on the device page.